ROCKFORD — Aldermen will try to demolish more vacancies and neighborhood eyesores next year than they have in years past. But it’s still uncertain where exactly the money would come from to do it.

For years, the City Council has set aside $200,000, all from a federal grant, to tear down about 20 Rockford homes annually that are determined to be in the worst condition.

The method hasn’t put a dent in the city’s dilapidated housing stock. So the question is, how much is the City Council willing to spend to do that?

It costs taxpayers an average of $10,000 to tear down a home.

Ald. Karen Elyea, D-11, wants to start by designating at least $300,000 for home demolitions a year, while Ald. Tom McNamarma, D-3, has asked the city to spend closer to $500,000 or $600,000 a year.

Ald. Venita Hervey, D-5, on Monday called for the city to knock out the 50 worst homes each year, no matter the cost.

“We have got to increase the amount of money for this,” Hervey said. “The best way we’re going to get more people and higher incomes into our community is by getting rid of some of these eyesores.”

In 2004, the city commissioned a study to take stock of all its houses and housing units. The study labeled 1,978 as approaching unsound, unsafe or barely usable. The study recommended a goal of demolishing 1,000 units in the next five years. It’s a goal that the city never attempted or came close to reaching.

The city gets its money for demolitions from the federal Community Development Block Grant. Rockford receives a little more than $2 million from that grant source each year and sets aside about 10 percent for demolitions. The grant allows up to 30 percent, or $600,000, to be used for taking down properties. The rest is used on staffing, code enforcement, home rehabilitation and other neighborhood programs.

On Monday, aldermen delayed a vote that would have budgeted next year’s annual community development block grants in the traditional way, with 10 percent going to demolitions.

“Too much of the money is going toward staffing,” Elyea said. “There’s one house on every block that’s just a complete eyesore, and I don’t think staffing is a priority.”

But the block grant funding has to be allocated by Nov. 13 for the city to receive the money.

If the City Council opts against using more federal money on demolitions, aldermen could always use money in the city’s general fund.

Page 2 of 2 - The City Council will take up the issue again at the council meeting Monday night.